Dinger to Washington: Konrote speculated that the alleged assassination plot against Bainimarama last November could accurately reflect frustration within the Fijian chiefly community!

27/9/2014

What former US Ambassador relayed to Washignton after having a secret meeting with Konrote in 2008:

08SUVA17

2008-01-22 15:52

2011-08-30 01:44

CONFIDENTIAL

Embassy Suva

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2018

TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ASEC CASC FJ

SUBJECT: BRIG.GEN. (RET) KONROTE CONCERNED ABOUT BAINIMARAMA POLICIES THAT FRUSTRATE ETHNIC-FIJIANS

REF: A. SUVA 013

¶B. SUVA 005

¶C. DAO SUVA 220344Z JAN 08

Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D).

Summary

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¶1. (C) George Konrote, well-connected retired soldier, diplomat, and deposed State Minister, is deeply concerned that Fiji interim Prime Minister Bainimarama, his friend, has been listening to poor advice, particularly from Interim Finance Minister Chaudhry and interim Attorney General Sayed-Khaiyum, and has made a series of decisions that were bound to infuriate the ethnic-Fijian community. Konrote noted frustrations within the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), which stem in part from the same decisions that frustrate the ethnic-Fijian community more broadly. Konrote did not suggest such frustrations will boil into anti-Bainimarama action by the Army, but he left no doubt the frustrations are real. Bainimarama has asked Konrote to be Fiji's Permanent Representative at the UN, but Konrote will decline because of the prospect of Australian and New Zealand visa sanctions against his family. End summary.

Turning down UN role

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¶2. (C) George Konrote, a retired RFMF Brigadier General, a State Minister in the deposed Qarase government, and a former Fiji High Commissioner to Australia, stopped by for a chat on Jan. 23. He is a savvy observer of the Fiji scene, and he retains cordial relations with his military colleagues, including interim PM Bainimarama. Bainimarama has asked Konrote to be Fiji PermRep to the United Nations. Konrote said he has decided to decline the offer because of the threat of Australian and New Zealand visa sanctions which apply to family members. Konrote has two sons who are pilots with Air Pacific and could lose their livelihoods. Konrote
said, otherwise, he would be willing to take the job (IG).

Worry about the ethnic-Fijian mood

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¶3. (C) We asked Konrote what the mood is in the public. He expressed great concern about the ethnic-Fijian community, which remains very unhappy about IG policies and relationships. Konrote mentioned in particular recent IG decisions to reform "land" policies, to appoint an Electoral Boundaries Commission with no ethnic-Fijian members, and to consider changing Fiji's constitutionally-entrenched electoral system. (See reftels). He said the "land" issue, in particular, may stimulate ethnic-Fijians "enough to get them off their butts." Konrote also expressed concern about recent IG moves against Fiji Water and other prominent businesses that will surely affect investor confidence. Konrote noted a sense that Bainimarama is "listening to the wrong people," in particular to interim Finance Minister Chaudhry and interim Attorney General Sayed-Khaiyum.Konrote observed that the recent interim-Cabinet reshuffle accented those relationships.

RFMF frustrated

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¶4. (C) Asked the mood within the RFMF, Konrote indicated that many of his Army colleagues are frustrated. They resent (Navy Commodore) Bainimarama's purge of many of the best and brightest within the Army during the past six years in order to solidify Bainimarama's own position. They resent the insertion of Navy officers in senior roles that "green suits" (Army) should hold. And officers, as ethnic-Fijians, are frustrated by the IG decisions, as noted above, that seem tilted toward the interests of Chaudhry and Sayed-Khaiyum. Konrote speculated that the alleged assassination plot against Bainimarama last November could accurately reflect frustration within the Fijian chiefly community. Konrote did not suggest any moves are afoot within the RFMF to replace Bainimarama, but he left no doubt he believes many Fijians, including Army officers, are deeply frustrated by a number of recent Bainimarama decisions. Konrote clearly believes Bainimarama needs to seek and accept better advice than he has been relying on lately.

DINGER

Konrote in 2008: Bainimarama has been too reliant on Aiyaz Khaiyum's advice

15 Comments

all that link

27/9/2014 01:32:26 pm

all that and more is just water under the bridge. neither here nor there.
for all his confidential reports back to washington about what Con Rot or somebody said what is the reality today?
everybody including the US has accepted the legitimacy of the Bainimarama regime - notwithstanding the many question marks about its democratic credentials.

Rajesh

27/9/2014 10:33:13 pm

Well said .I wonder how can UN/World accept Dicitators and Rigg Election Results

'87 role link

27/9/2014 02:55:52 pm

what was george konrote's role in the 1987 Rabuka military coup?
what was his role in preparing the Fiji military's submission to the CRC - which had basically called for the military to hold power for 15 or so years?

Well what else to expect?

27/9/2014 10:28:24 pm

When SDL turned SODELPA wants to send them to Naboro, it would not take rocket scientist to declare Fiji is to be controlled by RFMF for 15 years until the treason lot all die.

Good Question

28/9/2014 03:50:28 am

Yes where was this Con-Rat falla in 1987?

Was he one of those in balaclava harassing, intimidating, bullying and abusing the ELECTED government of Dr. Bavadra??

We now know for sure that the ex polcom Nailavarua was one of these balaclava criminal of the past.

These CRIMINALS of the past, like Con-Rat and Inoke Kabuabola (racist) now want to be 'dignified' citizens. And not surprising they have all gathered under the umbrella of the CHOR party of Bai/Kai.

Tomasi

28/9/2014 12:48:16 am

Editor, your picture of the Cabinet showing the real Boss with five major portfolios reminds me about Lord Acton's famous quote about power. This is a significant indicator of what we will expect from this disguised dictatorship. How can a single person hold so much power and influence in a Governing party of 32 members? Who made this decision? Why did the FFP allow this to happen? This is a huge concentration of power in a single person.

Yes you are right. If people have not believed Khaiyum's power and influence as mentioned by MG Konrote, then they better look at the picture again. This should be the first question by the opposition parties. Because "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" Lord Acton.

Too Much..

28/9/2014 01:39:54 am

How many of these Brig, Generals and Rear Admirers do we have in Fiji? Certainly a very disproportionate number compared to the size of Fiji's Population.

But what is amazing about this Military Men is how they habitually 'back stab their bosses and each other, all the time.

Rabuka knifed the Epeli in the back in 1987. The horrible mutiny in 2001 and Baini has since back-stabbed everybody else in 2006 onwards. Non of the Military men who were with Baini in 2006 remain today.

Con Rat here is apparently back-stabbing Baini to the US ambassador. They are the most shameless lot this military men of Fiji. Loyalty and integrity is lacking in these lot.

What Loyalty and Integrity?

28/9/2014 02:49:08 am

First, Rabuka did not back stab Ratu Epeli as he was part of the plan and that is why he has been holding civil service appointments everytime a coup happens. He is stuck like a bakewa everywhere.

Off Course

28/9/2014 02:51:06 am

Loyalty and integrity is in the pay cheque that Aiaz has gone to take Finance so he can find more money to keep them happy.

These are bastards who suck on the poor and tax payers. Military slash funds are not enough.

Jaati Bhai

28/9/2014 01:46:51 am

Racists like Konrote and Inoke Kubuabola should not be in the cabinet.

This opportunist has no morals or ethics, just self interest

land has eyes

28/9/2014 03:04:19 am

I'll say! Look at his apologetic excuse for not joining the regime, had nothing to do havingwith the nation's interest at heart, but of his own personal, vested interests.

Exactly...

28/9/2014 03:33:23 am

But can someone please explain how has the biggest RACIST of ALL time INOKE KUBUABOLA has survived all these years - and reemerged with Bainimarama's BULLSHIT non-racist CHOR party??

How can Baini say he is a non-racist and have RACIST Inoke K in his lineup.

Saab Sala Chor hey...

land has eyes

28/9/2014 06:03:55 am

@ exactly

It could be as simple as 'birds of a feather flocking together'... for if any of them had a well-developed conscience - they would step back or step out of that ring of thieves, get a broader perspective on where things are and where they're at in the scheme of things, question their stances, re-question their motives, re-evaluate their stances, check their moral bearings (i.e. search their hearts) that its pointing north and not south, and then make a responsible, mature decision that is expected of a civilised adult.

However, what they all have in common and that's keeping them together is FEAR. The fear of being exposed, named and shamed for the rot of the last 8 years of unbridled, unaudited spending of taxpayers funds, fear of going to prison, fear of losing their ill-gotten wealth and the social status it brings them and their dearest families/cronies egging them on, fear that they really don't have what it takes (genuine spine) to fight a good fight on a level-playing field, and take the consequences that comes with it.

Well, our God-given land has eyes and does not favour anyone, least of all - the greedy and corrupt in whatever shape, size, or colour they might come in.

total link

28/9/2014 04:09:17 am

Can someone tell us just how many military men ( including of course the retired generals) are part of the Bainimarama regime? The president Nailaulukau is one. This Con Rat is another. Who else?

plenty link

29/9/2014 05:41:47 am

the Fiji Military has produced the most number of thugs in Fiji since 14 May 1987

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Dinger to Washington: Konrote speculated that the alleged assassination plot against Bainimarama last November could accurately reflect frustration within the Fijian chiefly community!

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